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Afghanistan - winter aid

Surviving Afghanistan's harsh winter

Warm blankets, stoves and wood for refugees in Kabul

Afghanistan's climate is characterised by hot summers and cold winters. At this time, wide areas of the country are covered by snow, with temperatures hovering below the freezing point. These weather conditions are particularly hard on refugees and displaced persons, who are living in tent villages and slum areas.

Afghanistan is experiencing real winter weather. The wind is blowing mercilessly, the body feels the cold weather keenly, and the wet snow penetrates through clothing and shoes to the skin. Those not protected by a roof or wall and only surrounded by a thin tent wall are particularly hard hit by this type of weather.

Welthungerhilfe supports families with relief items that are critical to survival.

People stand in long queues to receive their portion of the precious firewood.

Fire wood is being transported by wheelbarrow.

A fire in the stove protects against the worst of the cold weather.

To reduce the suffering, Welthungerhilfe provides refugees and displaced persons in Kabul with relief items that are critical to survival. As part of a collaborative project with Alliance2015 partners People in Need, winter aid is also provided to the inhabitants of Balkh province, which is located in the north of the country.

Water-tight canvass repels snow

A total of 3,000 families have received blankets, canvasses, firewood and stoves. "Now it is a little bit warmer and more comfortable during the icy-cold days," says a happy 15-year old Farid, who is spending the winter with his family in a tent village near Kabul. Farid's family will hang the donated canvass over its tent, as the old tent canvass bends under the weight of the snow, and runs the risk of leaking. The new water-tight canvasses take care of this problem. The families use the traditional stoves to make fire in their tents - this too helps to protect them against the worst of the cold. And people also manage to stay warm with the blankets that have been distributed.

Together with its partners, Welthungerhilfe is organising a variety of recreational activities to ensure that children can forget about the war and displacement for a few hours. Among other things, the organisation supports the circus school Afghan Education Childrens` Circus, in which children and youths can play together, talk with each other and learn new skills. These 600 young artists in the circus school - all children from the Kabul tent villages - also receive warm jackets, pullovers, trousers, winter shoes and hats. This allows them to move around in winter weather without feeling cold.

What happens when international support in Afghanistan ends too early?

The Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief & Development (ACBAR) and its 128 members have launched the global campaign "Do not forget Afghanistan" to raise awareness for this issue.

The change of government and the withdrawal of international troops pose new challenges for Afghanistan. There is a continuing need for long-term involvement of western governments and organisations in Afghanistan.